Understanding Desertification in India: Challenges and Solutions

Understanding Desertification

Desertification is a significant form of land degradation where fertile land transforms into desert due to various factors, including climatic changes and human influence. This phenomenon leads to the persistent degradation of dryland ecosystems, resulting in a substantial loss of biological productivity.

Land Degradation Explained

Land degradation refers to the decline in land quality caused by both natural events and human activities. This decline reduces the land's capacity to produce essential goods and services, posing a serious threat to environmental sustainability.

Current Status of Desertification in India

As of November 2023, a report from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change indicates that 25% of India's land is affected by desertification. The Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO estimated that during 2018-2019, around 97.84 million hectares of land in India were degraded or desertified. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) noted a loss of approximately 30.51 million hectares of land to degradation between 2015 and 2019, which represents about 9.45% of India's total land area.

Causes of Desertification in India

• Population Pressure:
  • Overexploitation of land for agriculture, grazing, and deforestation.
  • Intensive use of water resources for various purposes.
• Climate Change:
  • Increased frequency of droughts and extreme weather events.
  • Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns worsen land degradation.
• Human Activities:
  • Unsustainable agricultural practices and excessive deforestation.
  • Overgrazing by livestock and poor management of water resources.

Measures to Combat Desertification

• Geospatial Technology:
  • Utilizing satellite data and geospatial technology to monitor land degradation.
  • Creation of the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India for effective restoration planning.
• Afforestation and Reforestation:
  • Initiatives like the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) and the Forest Fire Protection & Management Scheme (FFPM).
  • Compensatory afforestation efforts under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
• Policy and Governance:
  • Enforcement of the National Forest Policy (NFP) aimed at increasing forest cover to one-third of India's land area.
  • Development of an online portal for visualizing degraded land areas and monitoring degradation processes.
• International Cooperation:
  • Engagement in the Bonn Challenge to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
  • Collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for progress reporting.
• Local Initiatives:
  • State-specific schemes focusing on afforestation and eco-restoration, like the Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitat in Tamil Nadu.
  • Encouragement of local community participation in awareness and training programs.
• Cross-Sectoral Efforts:
  • Integration of efforts across various departments, NGOs, civil society, and corporate bodies.
  • Implementation of schemes under both central and state plans to combat land degradation.

Conclusion

India's proactive measures to address desertification through technological advancements, policy reforms, international partnerships, and local initiatives highlight its commitment to sustainable land management. These actions are essential for securing food, water, and livelihood stability while striving for land degradation neutrality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is desertification?
Answer: Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert due to various factors like climatic changes and human activities, leading to a significant loss of biological productivity.

Q2. What percentage of India is affected by desertification?
Answer: As of November 2023, approximately 25% of India's land is undergoing desertification, according to a report from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Q3. What are the main causes of desertification in India?
Answer: The primary causes include population pressure, climate change, and unsustainable human activities such as overgrazing and deforestation.

Q4. What measures are being taken to combat desertification in India?
Answer: India employs various strategies, including geospatial technology for monitoring, afforestation initiatives, policy reforms, and local community involvement to combat desertification.

Q5. How does climate change contribute to desertification?
Answer: Climate change leads to increased drought frequency, extreme weather, and changes in precipitation patterns, which exacerbate land degradation and desertification processes.